Living with Wildlife

Living with Wildlife’s Geoff Coombe has presented hundreds of talks, courses, workshops and seminars and has trained several thousand people in how to handle venomous snakes, delivering training programs all over Australia as well as overseas (see Locations).

Government wildlife agencies in most Australian states and territories have called on Geoff to train their personnel, as have New Zealand government authorities.

Living with Wildlife partners with Adelaide Snake Catchers to present at numerous training courses and public events each year like the Royal Adelaide Show, Adelaide Animal Expo and The World Environment Fair.

Public Display Events

About Geoff Coombe

Geoff Coombe, the principal of Living with Wildlife, has been actively involved with reptiles since the mid-1960s. He has had practical experience with venomous snakes since 1971 in both field environments and captive situations.

Geoff’s qualifications include:

Founding committee member of South Australian Herpetology Group, established in 1971.

In 1986 he co-founded Adelaide Snake Catchers with Rudy Della-Flora – believed to be the first non-profit community reptile removal & advisory service in Australia.

In 1988 he was one of the prime movers in initiating the venomous snake policies adopted by the South Australian Department for Environment & Heritage (National Parks & Wildlife).

At the Second World Congress of Herpetology in Adelaide (1993/4) he chaired the Wildlife Educators’ Narama: the First Australian Expo of Reptiles & Amphibians.

A faculty member of Clinical Toxinology Short Courses since their inception in 1997.

He has been a member of the South Australian Herpetology Group (State), the Australian Society of Herpetologists (National), the International Society on Toxinology and the Society for the Study of Amphibians & Reptiles (International)

Geoff holds a permit to keep all Australian species of venomous snakes. FIND OUT MORE

Merchandise

"One of the best run and most interesting courses I have done in 25 years of NPWS employment."

National Parks & Wildlife SA

"An excellent course which developed a high level of confidence in dealing with snakes physically, far exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended."

Western Australian Department of Conservation & Land Management

"The improved understanding of potential snake behaviour has instilled team confidence. One member of the team believes that his life-time fear of snakes has been put in perspective as respect rather than fear."

Torrens Island Power Station

"After attending one of your courses three years ago at Jervis Bay National Park I realized that you had the ability to change peoples' attitudes and beliefs when it comes to fear of snakes. I was heartened to see that attitudes changed to the point where the participants actually felt an empathy for snakes."

Bookmark Biosphere Reserve

"It was highly educational, insightful and enlightening - would be good for all Australians. Your approach to overcoming people's anxieties worked very well."

Australian Capital Territory Parks &Conservation Service

"I now have a new respect for snakes. Thank you for building my confidence to work with venomous snakes when required in my work."

Department of Environment & Conservation, WA

"Thoroughly enjoyed the course, the pace and content of the course was pitched just right. Breaking down the misconceptions surrounding snakes was a vital part for me. Would not change a thing."

New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry

"I attended this course with a great fear of snakes. While I still fear them I have a lot better understanding of their ways and habits and a lot more respect. An excellent course."

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, QLD

"Initially I thought that 3 days would be too long but in reality it is possibly not long enough to cover other aspects that interests me - such as advanced techniques of restraint."

Hamilton Island Resort, QLD

"The end result was a course that provided wonderful material that will be extremely useful in my job - allowing me to perform my duties with a greater awareness and with confidence and safety".

Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service

"I particularly enjoyed the challenging aspects to the course. Great introduction to handling and would like to attend a more comprehensive course. Big confidence builder".

Energy Resources of Australia, NT

"Snake awareness seminar was an excellent knowledge sharing about the snakes found around the world as well as Pakistan".

BHP Billiton, Zamzama Gas Field, Pakistan

"The presenters always had our safety in mind. This was the most amazing course I have ever attended. I have a greater respect for snakes. The course was also fantastic for my personal development as I successfully achieved things that initially scared me".